This is the first module in the Solar Dynamic Observatory (SDO) Project Suite curriculum. Activities are self-directed by students or student teams using online videos and data from the SDO satellite to explore, research and build knowledge about...(View More) features of the Sun. Students build vocabulary, apply or demonstrate learning through real world connections, and creating resources to use in their investigations. Each activity comes with both a teacher and student guide with sequential instructions and embedded links to the needed videos and internet resources. Activity 1A: Structure of the Earth's Star takes students through the features and function of the Sun's structures using online videos, completing a "Sun Primer" data sheet using information from the videos, and creating a 3D origami model of the Sun. Students use a KWL chart to track what they have learned. Activity 1B: Observing the Sun has students capture real solar images from SDO data to find and record sunspots and track their movement across the surface of the Sun. Activity 1C has students create a pin-hole camera to use in calculating the actual diameter of the Sun, and then calculate scales to create a Earth-Sun scale model. Students reflect on their learning and results at the end of the module. An internet connection and access to computers are needed to complete this module. See related and supplementary resources for link to full curriculum. The appendix includes an alignment to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).(View Less)

In this activity, students peruse the Cosmic Times posters to answer open-ended questions. The activity serves as introduction to the Cosmic Times suite of curriculum support materials that explores how our understanding of the nature of the...(View More) universe has changed over the last century.(View Less)

In this lesson, students work in cooperative teams to understand the primary scientific advances over the past century that have contributed to our current understanding of the universe. The activity serves as introduction to the Cosmic Times suite...(View More) of curriculum support materials that explores how our understanding of the nature of the universe has changed over the last century.(View Less)